Malaysia

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) signed a joint venture today to redevelop the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal with the intention of allowing the terminal to accommodate larger cruise ships.

The cruise terminal work will result in Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal’s existing 400-metre berth extended by 220m and the addition of a 118m long dolphin.

When the work is done, the cruise terminal will be able to accommodate two mega-sized cruise ships simultaneously on the outer berths along with one small and one medium-sized ships on the inner berths by end-2019.

The agreement was signed by RCL Senior Vice President of International Gavin Smith and PPSB Chairman Datuk Syed Mohmad Syed Murtaza.

“Next year, we will bring in Spectrum of the Seas, our biggest ship to be deployed to Asia, with a total capacity of 5,622 guests. With Spectrum of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and two others, Royal Caribbean will make 36 calls to Penang next year, bringing in close to 129,000 guests,” Smith said after the signing ceremony.

The Port of Penang, Malaysia is partnering with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd expand berth from the current 480m to 700m, so that it can handle up to two large cruise ships simultaneously.

New Straight Times reports Royal Caribbean and the Port entered into a joint-venture about a year ago to upgrade and improve Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) in Georgetown, Penang. The work aims to accommodate berthing of larger cruise ships at its facilities.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd managing director, Asia Pacific, Sean Treacy said Malaysia has been a strong performer for our business and it is now the fastest growing market for Southeast Asia, doubling between 2015 and 2016.

“While we expect a similar performance this year, this strong growth is driven by our deployment of more ships, and newer and larger ones such as Ovation of the Seas and Voyager Class ships like Voyager of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas are attracting a growing number of travellers in Malaysia,” he said in a recent interview.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd announced it has entered into a joint venture with Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) to upgrade and improve Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. The upgraded pier will accommodate berthing of larger cruise ships.

Plans for the facilities include extension of the existing berths to 688 metres from its current length of 400 metres. This will enable the terminal to berth two mega cruise liners carrying over 4,900 passengers each at any one time.

In addition, the redevelopment will include spaces for tour buses to ease the flow of traffic in the areas around SPCT. The USD35 million project will further focus on improving accessibility for the aged and physically challenged throughout the terminal from ship to shore. This planned development has received unyielding support from both State and Federal government and associated government agencies including Tourism bodies, and will be a focal part of Malaysian Tourism EPP6 plan to create a “Straits and Borneo Cruise Riviera”.

Royal Caribbean will own a 40% stake in the venture, and the project will be managed by both parties.

Royal Caribbean is one of the investors in a 246-hectare Melaka Gateway project that aims to build a brand new cruise terminal, theme park, seven-star hotel and the Malaysia Eye in Malacca, Malaysia..

TTG Asia reports the mega project will be comprised of one natural and two man-made islands with an estimated gross development value of $12 billion (US).

Royal Caribbean is investing in the plan that was created by KAJ Development.

Royal Caribbean V.P., Commercial and New Business Development, John Tercek, believes the new cruise termincal can, "grow and boost tremendously the cruise market for Melaka and the region in the years to come."

The project is slated to be completed by 2025 and is expected to increase the port's importance. The new Melaka International Cruise Terminal and Ferry Terminal will be able to accomodate up to three cruise ships, a world-class maintenance and repair facility for mega yachts and the region’s largest marina with up to 1,000 berths.

The Gateway Beacon Tower, a 288m tower with over 80 storeys, will be home to a seven-star hotel and premium condominiums. Marina villas with individual berths right at the resident’s doorstep will also be available.

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